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Re: Graphic Design salary?

I'm worried about my salary coming out of college. Are there any other Graphic Designers out there that can help in telling me what they do. And around what their salary was starting out of college?

Thanks for the help,
CyBer

My wife was in graphic design before the publishing company she worked out was closed by their parent company. But when she started out about 5 years ago she started at a little under $30k. That was in Iowa City. I imagine it would be more in city like Chicago or other big city.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

Good luck buddy lol.
I graduated in December of 04. I worked in the print business for 2 years and got my first graphic job in 06 and am still there. I make all point of sale for the state of Nebraska which means I design posters, flyers, menu's etc for all bars, liquor stores, restaraunts, etc in the state of NE. My job actually wanted 2 years exp and the starting pay was around 29k. I don't want to be the burden of bad news but it's tough to find companies out there that want to pay you what your worth. If your specialty is web design, your options are higher.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

I'm worried about my salary coming out of college. Are there any other Graphic Designers out there that can help in telling me what they do. And around what their salary was starting out of college?

Thanks for the help,
CyBer

We start our entry level graphic designers in the 30-32k range. I work for a magazine publishing company located in Des Moines. Salaries start higher on the coasts in the same field, but not high enough to offset the standard of living, imho.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

Originally Posted by State43

Good luck buddy lol.
I graduated in December of 04. I worked in the print business for 2 years and got my first graphic job in 06 and am still there. I make all point of sale for the state of Nebraska which means I design posters, flyers, menu's etc for all bars, liquor stores, restaraunts, etc in the state of NE. My job actually wanted 2 years exp and the starting pay was around 29k. I don't want to be the burden of bad news but it's tough to find companies out there that want to pay you what your worth. If your specialty is web design, your options are higher.

Yeah, my wife basically stopped looking for a job in graphic design because it seems most now want web design as well.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

Yeah, it's all about what field you go into for sure. You will see a lot of $10-11/hr jobs out there which will make you cringe but these are the times. Freelance can offset the lack of pay but that isn't exactly easy to get either.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

Originally Posted by southernfriedCY

We start our entry level graphic designers in the 30-32k range. I work for a magazine publishing company located in Des Moines. Salaries start higher on the coasts in the same field, but not high enough to offset the standard of living, imho.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

Originally Posted by CyBer

Is there any advancement in salary? And how often?

Absolutely. Senior level graphic designers can earn in a range of 40 to 60k. Then it's off to Art Director status, with a range of 60k and up. After 23 years in the business, I'm in that "upper" range of the Art Director field.

Re: Graphic Design salary?

What kind of salary are you expecting right out of college? In your field if you can find something at or around $30k you're ahead of the game. It's all about experience and, in your case, portfolio. I work with designers who pull upwards of $75k salary, and that's not including the freelance work they do. So yes, there can be a solid financial upside. You just need to establish yourself, pay your dues, build a freelance a network, and gain the trust of your firm/company.

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